Sample Template for Reviewers’ Reports on Existing Programs

This template is available for download from the Quality Council’s website and may be adapted to meet the needs of an institution’s approved IQAP.

External Reviewers’ Report on the (INSERT DEGREE) Program in (INSERT PROGRAM NAME) at (INSERT UNIVERSITY)

(Reviewer 1) / (Reviewer 2)
UNIVERSITY ADDRESS / UNIVERSITY ADDRESS
  1. OUTLINE OF THE VISIT
  • Who was interviewed
  • What facilities were seen
  • Any other activities relevant to the appraisal
  1. PROVIDE FEEDBACK ON THE EACH OF THE FOLLOWING EVALUATION CRITERIA

(NOTE: Institutions may add to this list if their IQAP includes additional criteria)

2.1Objectives

  • Is the program consistent with the institution’s mission and academic plans?
  • Are the program requirements and learning outcomes clear, appropriate and in alignment with the institution’s statement of undergraduate and/or graduate Degree Level Expectations?

2.2Admission requirements

  • Are admission requirements appropriately aligned with the learning outcomes established for completion of the program?

2.3Curriculum

  • Does the curriculum reflect the current state of the discipline or area of study?
  • What evidence is there of any significant innovation or creativity in the content and/or delivery of the program relative to other programs
  • Are the modes of delivery appropriate and effective to meet with program’s identified learning outcomes

2.4Teaching and assessment

  • Are the methods used to assess student achievement of the defined learning outcomes and degree level expectations appropriate and effective
  • Are the means of assessment (particularly in the students’ final year of the program) appropriate and effective to demonstrate achievement of the program learning objectives and the institutions (or program’s) own degree level expectations?

2.5Resources

  • Assess the appropriateness and effectiveness of the academic unit’s use of existing human, physical and financial resources in delivering its program(s). Note reviewers must recognize the institution’s autonomy in determining priorities for funding, space and faculty allocation.
  • Comment on the appropriateness and effectiveness of academic services (e.g. library, co-op, technology, etc.) to support the program(s) being reviewed

2.6Quality Indicators (to be inclusive of the institution’s own additional quality indicators)

  • Comment on the outcome measures of student performance and achievement for the program(s).
  • Faculty: comment on: the qualifications; research and scholarly record; class sizes; % classes taught by permanent or non-permanent (contract) faculty; number, assignments and qualifications of part-time or temporary faculty

NOTE: Consultants are urged to avoid using references to individuals. Rather, they are asked to assess the ability of the faculty as a whole to deliver the program and to comment on the appropriateness of each of the areas of the program(s) that the university has chosen to emphasize, in view of the expertise and scholarly productivity of the faculty.

  • Students: comment on: applications and registrations; attrition rates, times-to-completion; final year academic achievement; graduation rates; academic awards; student in-course reports on teaching.
  • Graduates: comment on: rates of graduation; employment after six months and two years after graduation; post graduate study; skills match’ alumni reports on program quality (if available and permitted by FIPPA).

2.7 Additional graduate program criteria

  • Is the students’ time-to-completion both monitored and managed in relation to the program’s identified length and program requirements.
  • What is the quality and availability of graduate supervision
  • What quality indicators does the program use to provide evidence of faculty, students and program quality, for example:

a)Faculty: funding, honours and awards, commitment to student mentoring

b)Students: grade-level for admission, scholarly output, success rates in provincial and national scholarships, competitions, awards and commitment to professional and transferable skills

c)Program: evidence of program structure and faculty research that will ensure the intellectual quality of the student experience

d)Sufficient graduate level courses that the students will be able to meet the requirement that two-thirds of their course requirements be met through courses at this level.

2.8 Quality enhancement

  • Comment on initiatives taken to enhance the quality of the program and the associated learning and teaching environment
  1. OTHER ISSUES
  1. SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Signature:

Signature:

Date: